The group announced in mid-2016 that it was no longer affiliated with any external group, prompting speculation that it had cut ties with al-Qaeda, although the latter group was not mentioned by name, reports the BBC.

It is thought that the leadership structure of Fateh al-Sham is still intertwined with al-Qaeda.

A US operation against al-Qaeda in Yemen last week – the first military action authorised by new president Donald Trump – resulted in the death of a Navy Seal and up to 16 civilians, including children, according to reports.

Trump’s administration declared the operation a success, saying it had yielded valuable intelligence.